Gender disparities and mental health challenges among doctoral candidates

  1. Maider Prieto-Vila 1
  2. Francisco José Estupiñá Puig 1
  3. Marta Evelia Aparicio García 1
  4. Álvaro Santalla 1
  5. Ana Sanz 2
  6. Cristina Larroy 1
  1. 1 Universidad Complutense de Madrid
    info

    Universidad Complutense de Madrid

    Madrid, España

    ROR https://ror.org/02p0gd045

  2. 2 Universidad Nebrija
    info

    Universidad Nebrija

    Madrid, España

    ROR https://ror.org/03tzyrt94

Revista:
Ansiedad y estrés

ISSN: 1134-7937

Año de publicación: 2024

Volumen: 30

Número: 2

Páginas: 117-122

Tipo: Artículo

DOI: 10.5093/ANYES2024A15 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openAcceso abierto editor

Otras publicaciones en: Ansiedad y estrés

Objetivos de desarrollo sostenible

Resumen

Introduction: Gender bias in academia persists, affecting women's participation. It is well known that women have less opportunities in comparation with men (i.e. to achieve positions on academia, be awarded with a grant, more difficulties for family-work conciliation, impostor syndrome, etc.) However, to date now, there is little evidence about gender differences among doctoral candidates despite it is a crucial position for the academia’s future, but it is evidenced that women have double chances of being distressed than male candidates. Aim: identify gender disparities across doctoral candidates. Methods: A total of 1010 doctoral candidates (645 women and 365 men) participated on a cross-sectional survey. Statistical analyses, including t-tests and chi-square tests were used to perform a comparation between male and female candidates. Results: Female candidates show higher levels of anxiety symptoms, distress, and work-to-family conflict, and were less likely to receive mental health treatment. They also reported lower satisfaction with thesis supervision, recognition, and training and higher levels of regret about starting a PhD. Conclusions: These findings highlight the disparities across male and female doctoral candidates in academia and emphasize the need for gender-sensitive policies and support mechanisms for mental health.

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